Spying

Spying
Spy Spy (sp[imac]), v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Spied} (sp[imac]d); p. pr. & vb. n. {Spying}.] [OE. spien, espien, OF. espier, F. ['e]pier, OHG. speh[=o]n, G. sp["a]hen; akin to L. specere to see, Skr. spa[,c]. [root] 169. Cf. {Espy}, v. t., {Aspect}, {Auspice}, {Circumspect}, {Conspicuous}, {Despise}, {Frontispiece}, {Inspect}, {Prospect}, {Respite}, {Scope}, {Specimen}, {Spectacle}, {Specter}, {Speculate}, {Spice}, {Spite}, {Suspicion}.] 1. To gain sight of; to discover at a distance, or in a state of concealment; to espy; to see. [1913 Webster]

One, in reading, skipped over all sentences where he spied a note of admiration. --Swift. [1913 Webster]

2. To discover by close search or examination. [1913 Webster]

Look about with your eyes; spy what things are to be reformed in the church of England. --Latimer. [1913 Webster]

3. To explore; to view, inspect, and examine secretly, as a country; -- usually with out. [1913 Webster]

Moses sent to spy out Jaazer, and they took the villages thereof. --Num. xxi. 32. [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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